Anda
I divided my recent trip to Ireland between Dublin and Cork. Of course, I tried to squeeze in as much as possible in and around each city. There are plenty of things to do in Cork, but the weather was amazing, and I was keen on exploring the coastal villages in the area as well. So, at the end of a long day of wandering about, all I wanted was a good shower, a comfortable bed, and a place to relax. I found all that and something more at the Montenotte Hotel in Cork.
The Montenotte Hotel in Cork
Cork is the second-largest city in Ireland. There are lots of things to do in and around Cork, so it’s a good base to explore southern Ireland.
The Montenotte Hotel stands high on a hilltop in Cork, a little of the main streets, but also close enough to walk everywhere you need to go. There is ample parking space in front and behind the hotel. Parking is free and you don’t need a reservation.
If you want a relaxing weekend, you can spend your entire time at the hotel and with plenty to entertain.
The beautiful gardens are the main attraction, but if the weather doesn’t help, you can spend a relaxing time inside. Try the pool and saunas, book a treatment at the Bellevue SPA, or watch an evening movie at the in-house cinema.
Just one thing, because of the pandemic, you should book all your activities beforehand.
One more thing I have to mention is the staff. They were very helpful, from the friendly chat at the reception desk, to getting a table in the evening. The housekeeping staff was also very present, entering the room every day to tidy up and replenish everything.
My room at Montenotte Hotel
I stayed in an executive room at Montenotte, but the boutique rooms also looked very comfy. You get a king-size bed, comfortable pillows (and I’m pretty peaky about my pillow), a modern step-in shower, and a large closet. Then, there are the little details: branded La Bottega toiletries, complimentary coffee, tea, and water, as well as pillow chocolates. Who doesn’t love those?
The room is large, clean, and pleasant. I would have loved a little balcony as well, but hey, it’s hard to find one in Ireland.
The Restaurant and Bar at Montenotte Hotel
We were out for the better part of the day so we only managed to have breakfast and drinks at Montenotte. It’s always a good idea to have a full Irish breakfast, but you can also choose eggs and something from the buffet. Coffee comes in a french press, hot and flavorful, perfect to start your morning.
As for evening drinks, I’m a gin&tonic girl, so I highly recommend the Montenotte gin. It is inspired by the Montenotte gardens, and you can feel the lavender and fresh herbs in your glass.
It’s a good idea to make reservations for dinner or drinks as the restaurant gets quite busy in the evening. I can also state that a glass (or two) of sparkling wine complements perfectly the views and the piano background.
The beautiful Montenotte Gardens
For me, the gardens are the most noteworthy feature of the Montenotte Hotel. The original Victorian gardens were only brought to light in 2018. Since then, the house gardeners have brought to a new life the sunken gardens. They host aromatic plants and beautiful flowers, as well as a lawn on the higher level and resting places scattered around the gardens.
During summers, they also become exhibition grounds for Irish sculptors in collaboration with The Kildare Gallery.
About accommodation in Ireland
It’s hard to find inexpensive accommodation in Ireland. The best thing you can do is finding a great place to stay and getting top services for your money.
That being said, I would stay at Montenotte Hotel again anytime I get to Cork.
Watch out for the special offers on the Montenotte website, as they have pretty good package deals.
